Photos from the Boston Massacre Mock Trial

Members of the public, thank you for joining us in our courtroom today. In lieu of a court sketch artist's renderings, we have photographs of the event. We look forward to seeing you in two weeks at our end-of-year celebration!

The bailiff and honorable judge

The prosecution team and witnesses

The defense team, defendant, and witness

Swearing in the witness

Direct examination of the prosecution witness

Direct examination of the defense witness

Direct examination of the defendant

Cross examination of the defendant

The jury hard at work taking notes on the evidence

Heated deliberation among the jurors, who were hopelessly deadlocked

Boston Massacre Mock Trial Preparations

In preparation for our upcoming Boston Massacre Mock Trial on Thursday, May 30, please help your child choose their outfit. Your child should come to school dressed for the trial which will begin promptly at 8:30am. After the trial, students will have time to change into their everyday clothes. 

In class today, the students discussed clothing ideas for what might be appropriate for a courtroom. As a class, we decided that for all of the roles, students should wear professional clothing. This means solid, neutral colors without a pattern or design. Gentlemen discussed wearing button-up or collared shirts, ties if they desire, and a nicer pair of pants. Ladies discussed wearing dresses or a more conservative top with pants or a skirt.

Children are allowed to bring in props that add to their character if they choose. Please do not purchase clothing specifically for the trial.

We look forward to seeing you next Thursday in our courtroom. 

Ballroom Attire

Dear Families,

The 4th grade ballroom culminating event will be on Wednesday, May 22, at 9:00am. Below is a list of clothing guidelines for the performance.

Girls:

Dress/skirt
Tights or spandex shorts
Closed-toe dress shoes
Hair pulled back

Boys:

Polo or button-down shirt
Tie (optional)
Slacks or dress pants
Dress shoes

It is not necessary to buy clothing for this performance. The goal is for all students to look professional and polished.

The students should come to school dressed for the performance, but may change into everyday clothing after.

Please make sure your child brings a bottle of water for the performance.

Best,

Laura and Robyn

May Curriculum Update

Please read below for a curriculum update in Class 4-312.

Math

On Monday, May 6th, we started a new math unit: dividing three-digit numbers by two-digit numbers. Tomorrow, we will be taking a test that also includes other concepts from throughout the year. After that, we will learn about decimals and complete more geometry work.

Writing

Before Spring Break, our students demonstrated their ability as literary essayists with published essays about a text of their choice. Students read a series of short stories, chose their two favorite texts, and generated claims supported by text evidence. From there, students chose the text and claim about which they felt most passionate and worked through the writing process to plan their supporting reasons and text details, draft their essays while elaborating upon and explaining the importance of their text details, edit using a grade-level checklist, and publish with their neatest handwriting. We are excited for you to read our essays in the hallway when you join us in the classroom on Thursday, May 30th.

Building upon our skills from the literary essay unit, we have moved into a research-based argument essay unit. Students have researched two sides of a controversial topic: Are zoos more helpful to animals or more harmful to animals? From their research, students have put their argument essay skills to the test by working in teams to prepare for a class debate. After the debate helps students to solidify their research-based argument skills, we will move into researching a second controversial topic. Students will then write persuasive letters to convince an audience of their opinion. (We apologize in advance for any future debates at home.)

Social Studies


For the past couple of months, the students have been researching all about the American Revolution, from the first shots fired at the Battles of Lexington and Concord to the end of the war with the Treaty of Paris. Now that we have finished covering the timeline of the Revolution and discussing cause and effect of various events, we are jumping back to where it all started with the Boston Massacre in 1770. Students are examining primary sources that emerged after the Boston Massacre, including eyewitness testimony and committee reports. Based on all of the evidence analyzed during class, we will be conducting a courtroom trial to judge if British Captain Thomas Preston should be found guilty or not guilty for his actions during the Boston Massacre. The exciting trial will take place on Thursday, May 30th, in our classroom (4-312).

Reading

A few weeks ago, we began reading our final read-aloud book, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, by Grace Lin. Please find the synopsis of this exciting fantasy book below:

Living in the shadow of the Fruitless Mountain, Minli and her parents spend their days working in the rice fields, barely growing enough to feed themselves. Every night, Minli's father tells her stories about the Jade Dragon that keeps the mountain bare, the greedy and mean Magistrate Tiger, and the Old Man of the Moon who holds everyone's destiny. Determined to change her family's fortune, Minli sets out to find the Old Man of the Moon, urged on by a talking goldfish who gives her clues to complete her journey. Along the way she makes new friends including a flightless dragon and an orphan and proves her resourcefulness when she tricks a group of greedy monkeys and gets help from a king. Interwoven with Minli's quest are tales told by her father and by those she meets on the way. While these tales are original to Lin (the author), many characters, settings, and themes are taken from traditional Chinese folklore. The author's writing is elegant, and her full-color illustrations are stunning. Minli's determination to help her family, as well as the grief her parents feel at her absence, is compelling and thoroughly human.

As we finish up the year, we will be conducting individual reading assessments with each child to assess their wonderful progress and growth this year.

Important Upcoming Dates

May

• Friday, May 17th at 11:30am: A Midsummer Night's Dream drama performance with Jenny and Matthew
• Tuesday, May 21st: Field trip - Van Cortlandt Park 
• Wednesday, May 22nd: Ballroom Dancing performance at 9:00am 
• Tuesday, May 28th: Ballroom gala for students in the gym (no adults)
• Thursday, May 30th: Join us at 8:45am in 4-312 for an American Revolution presentation

June

• Tuesday, June 4th: No school 
• Thursday, June 6th: Chancellor's Day - No School for students
• Tuesday, June 11th: Clerical Day - No School for students
• Thursday, June 13th: End of Year Celebration at 8:30am (confirmed)
• Wednesday, June 26th: Last Day of School (half day)

Best,

R & L 

Important Upcoming Dates

Here are some important dates coming up as we approach the last months of school:

May

• Monday, May 13th: Philadelphia (information regarding the trip will come home tonight) 
• Friday, May 17th at 11:30am: A Midsummer Night's Dream drama performance with Jenny and Matthew
• Tuesday, May 21st: Field trip - Van Cortlandt Park (chaperone sign-up coming soon)
• Wednesday, May 22nd: Ballroom Dancing performance at 9:00am 
• Tuesday, May 28th: Ballroom gala for students in the gym (no adults)
• Thursday, May 30th: Join us at 8:45am in 4-312 for an American Revolution presentation

June

• Tuesday, June 4th: No school 
• Thursday, June 6th: Chancellor's Day - No School for students
• Tuesday, June 11th: Clerical Day - No School for students
• Thursday, June 13th: TENTATIVE DATE End of Year Celebration
• Wednesday, June 26th: Last Day of School (half day)

ELA Test and Philadelphia Field Trip Information

The ELA State Test is on Tuesday and Wednesday. Please note the following important information:

Children should be at school no later than 8:20. It is extremely important that no one is late to school.

If possible, please do not send your child with a cell phone or any electronic devices, including Fitbits or Smartwatches. If that is not possible, we will collect all the devices before the test begins and will return them after the test is completed.

Children are not allowed to get up from their seat to get water. Children should bring in a bottle of water to school for each day of the test.

Make sure your child eats a healthy, low-sugar breakfast the morning of the test.

If your child is sick with a fever, please do not send them to school. We prefer your child take the test on the scheduled makeup days when they are feeling healthy.

On Monday, April 1, the permission form for the 4th grade Philadelphia field trip will be distributed. Please read the information letter and keep it at home for your records. The permission form and money should be returned to school.

In addition to the information that will be sent home, we want to fill you in on some more details for the trip.

Where we are going: We will visit the Museum of American Revolution and Independence Hall.

Transportation: The grade will be taking coach buses and there will be a bathroom on each bus.

Food: Children must bring lunch and carry their own lunch in a backpack. We will provide snacks for the bus rides. Children may not bring money to purchase food or drinks for lunch.

Pictures: Laura and Robyn will be taking pictures throughout the day and will share the photos with the families.

Technology: Children are not allowed to bring cell phones or iPads.  

Candy: Gum and other candy is not allowed on the trip.

Gift Shop: We will visit a gift shop in Philadelphia. Please talk to your child about ways to keep their money safe while traveling and how to manage money in a store (specifically not putting cash on shelving, and remembering to get change). If you are not interested in your child purchasing anything, please let Laura and Robyn know ahead of time.

Car Sickness: If your child suffers from car sickness and needs to take medication, please send a note to school.

Chaperones: Parents will not chaperone this trip.

Stamp Act Simulation

Today in class, we experienced a Stamp Act simulation. Monica Berry came to our class and told the children that beginning on March 31st, students will need to pay 5 cents for items like bathroom visits, copy paper, pencils, and nurse passes. After Monica left, the children shared their feelings and what actions they would take based on their feelings. We then connected their responses to the start of the American Revolution where British Parliament created and enforced the Stamp Act.

Please know this was a simulation, and students do not need to pay for any school materials.

We encourage you to speak with your child tonight about this activity and the thoughts, concerns, and feelings they had.